Who We Are

Mission & Values

The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation’s core philosophy is grounded in the beliefs of our founders and the family’s shared Jewish values that life’s purpose is found in service to others. The mission of the Foundation is to enrich humanity by strengthening and empowering children and families in need. In the Jewish tradition of tzedakah, the Foundation works to repair the world (tikkun olam) alongside those who share our mission.

Tzedakah, derived from the Hebrew language, conveys fairness and justice. This is the closest term to “charity” in Hebrew, and stems from a fundamental belief that donors benefit from philanthropy as much as recipients. More than a financial transaction, philanthropy in the tradition of tzedakah builds trusting relationships. The Foundation is guided by tzedakah and driven by a desire to work in partnership with those inside the issues we seek to address.

The Fisher Legacy

The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation was formed in 1955 and endowed following the death of Mr. Fisher in 2005. Together as partners in life, love, family and philanthropy, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher worked side-by-side to create meaningful impact in communities.

Mrs. Fisher was a partner in Mr. Fisher’s transformational philanthropy as was known to often encourage him to give more in times of critical need.

Beyond their many contributions, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher will long be remembered for their love and commitment to their family and for truly finding joy in their service with others.

“If you are not optimistic, it will never happen.”

Max M. Fisher

“If you are not optimistic, it will never happen.”
Max M. Fisher z”l

Max M. Fisher

Max Fisher at home July 10, 1998. Detroit News photo by Jack Gruber

Born in Pittsburgh in 1908 to Russian Jewish immigrants, Max Fisher grew up in Salem, Ohio, where his father owned a clothing store. He attended The Ohio State University on a football scholarship and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1930. That same year, Mr. Fisher joined his father’s oil business in Detroit before launching his own company years later. Mr. Fisher grew his company to be one of the largest gas station chainsin the Midwest. Years later, in 1959, Mr. Fisher sold his company to Aurora Gasoline, a corporation he would chair for 27 years. When Aurora was later sold to Marathon Oil, Mr. Fisher invested his fortune in real estate upon retiring from business in 1963. He became a prominent leader in the Jewish community, both at home in Detroit and around the globe. A notable statesman and philanthropist, Mr. Fisher served as an advisor for numerous presidents and forged ties between Washington and Israel during crucial moments in history such as the Six Day War. Additionally, he chaired or served on countless boards and raised over $100 million for Jewish-American charities. The namesake of the Max M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, and a recipient of more than 50 awards and honors, Mr. Fisher will long be remembered for his principled business and civic leadership, unwavering dedication to Detroit and impassioned advocacy for the future of Jewish people worldwide.

A case study commissioned by The Fisher College of Business describes Mr. Fisher in the following way: “[Mr. ]Fisher was an extraordinarily skilled and uniquely qualified leader. He was called ‘a builder of bridges’ more than once in his long and storied career — a reputation he earned through his strategic, typically quiet influence-building. His ability to build consensus where little, if any, had previously existed played a key role in his businesses, his community and philanthropic involvements and his roles in government and politics. Behind all of his responsibilities and accomplishments was an unwavering commitment to his country, his values, and the deeply held belief that his business training, entrepreneurial spirit and service to the greater community were intrinsically linked.”

"All giving starts with your heart."

Marjorie S. Fisher

“All giving starts with your heart.”
Marjorie S. Fisher

Marjorie S. Fisher

Marjorie S. Fisher

Born in 1923 in Louisville Kentucky, Marjorie Switow Fisher spent her life nurturing her family and teaching the growing generations. From their first date at the London Chop House in Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were partners in life, love, family and philanthropy. Married for 52 years, Mrs. Fisherwould often encourage Mr. Fisher in critical moments of decision, often saying: “We have to give more.” Together, she and Mr. Fisher created the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation to strengthen their ability to serve others. “You are here for a reason; to help other people.” Mrs. Fisher had said to her family, “Everything in life is based on love and what you can do to help others. The rest is just cream – sometimes sour cream – but it’s all cream.”

Following Mr. Fisher’s death in 2005 and the creation of the permanent endowment to fuel the Foundation, Mrs. Fisher assumed the role of Founding Chair.During her tenure as Chair, the Foundation committed more than $70 million in grants with nearly 50 partners on three continents. In 2011, Mrs. Fisher transitioned from the role of Founding Chair to allow leadership to transfer onto the next generation. Mrs. Fisher expressed her gratitude for grant partners frequently throughout her lifetime, feeling as though she could never give enough to properly show her thanks. The lessons she modeled in allowing her heart to guide her decisions and finding joy in service to others continue through her family, which serves the Foundation to this day. View our Marjorie S. Fisher Remembrance.

Marjorie S. Fisher z”l

Born in 1923 in Louisville Kentucky, Marjorie Switow Fisher z”l spent her life nurturing her family and teaching the growing generations. From their first date at the London Chop House in Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were partners in life, love, family and philanthropy. Married for 52 years, Mrs. Fisherwould often encourage Mr. Fisher in critical moments of decision, often saying: “We have to give more.” Together, she and Mr. Fisher created the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher

Foundation to strengthen their ability to serve others. “You are here for a reason; to help other people.” Mrs. Fisher had said to her family. “Everything in life is based on love and what you can do to help others. The rest is just cream – sometimes sour cream – but it’s all cream.” Following Mr. Fisher’s death in 2005 and the creation of the permanent endowment to fuel the Foundation, Mrs. Fisher assumed the role of Founding Chair.During her tenure as Chair, the Foundation committed more than $70 million in grants with nearly 50 partners on three continents. In 2011, Mrs. Fisher transitioned from the role of Founding Chair to allow leadership to transfer onto the next generation. Mrs. Fisher expressed her gratitude for grant partners frequently throughout her lifetime, feeling as though she could never give enough to properly show her thanks. The lessons she modeled in allowing her heart to guide her decisions and finding joy in service to others continue through her family which serves the Foundation to this day. View our Marjorie S. Fisher Remembrance.

For more information about Mr. & Mrs. Fisher, including documents and photos, please visit the Max M. Fisher archives at maxmfisher.org.

Trustees

As beneficiaries of our founders’ legacy, and as stewards of the values intended to distinguish our family for many generations, we will preserve the heritage entrusted to us, protect and grow the resources placed in our care, and convey to our children, and theirs, the essence of joyful philanthropy that is modeled within the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation.

“I believe that the family, acting together, creates more impact than any one individual.”

— Max M. Fisher

Phillip Wm. Fisher Bio

Founder of Mission Throttle, Phillip Fisher is leading culture change to accelerate the evolution of philanthropy. As a capitalist and philanthropist, he is leading sustainable strategies to connect, collaborate and deploy effective market-driven solutions to accelerate community capital, human resources and impact.

Mr. Fisher’s experiences span both for-impact and for-profit organizations. He is Chairman of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation and serves on the Board and Investment Committee of The Fisher Group. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, on the Board, Executive Committee and Investment Committee of the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan (“CFSEM”). Additionally, he serves on the board of various impact organizations including Starfish Family Services, Children’s Leadership Council of Michigan, Hope Starts Here, Dean’s Advisory Council for the Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State University and a National Council Member for the Skandalaris Center at Washington University in St. Louis. He is an advisor to The Platform, a community based real estate development and management business.

PRIOR AFFILIATIONS

Mr. Fisher served as CEO of The Fisher Group for over a quarter-century. The Fisher Group is a single family office serving the asset management needs for the four generations of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher family. Mr. Fisher was Chairman of the Board of Durakon Industries during the 1990’s and headed the sale of the company to Littlejohn in 1999. He was also a board member of Charter One Bank for over seven years before it was purchased by Royal Bank of Scotland in 2004. Additionally, Mr. Fisher served as Chair of the Investment Committees of the Jewish Foundations of North America, the board of Detroit Country Day School, the board of the Council of Michigan Foundations, the Jewish Foundation o fMetropolitan Detroit and United Way of SE Michigan. In 2008, he served on Governor Snyder’s Early Childhood Task Force. He has served as an Executive Committee member of the New Economy Initiative, an initiative of CFSEM.

Marjorie M. Fisher Bio

Board Member of the Library of Congress, James Madison Council

Board Member of the Oriental Institute, Visiting Committee, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Board of Director of the Detroit Zoological Society

Co-Chair and Co-Founder of Friends of Near Eastern Studies, Department of Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

President’s Advisory Group Member of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Advisory Council Member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Egyptian Department, New York

David F. Sherman Bio

David Sherman used his engineering and business background to help build a number of successful companies. Originally he built the back office systems and data information center for The Related Companies in New York City. Later he took his talents to help expand a family multi-generational shoe business to $20M and then started his own low voltage electronics company that became one of the top 50 in the nation.

Currently as a health advocate specializing in natural alternatives, David has been studying nutrition, exercise and hydration for ten years. He has taken his technical education and applied science to the wellness industry as a professional network marketer and visionary/owner for Natural ReCharge, a functional wellness company in metropolitan Detroit.

David served alongside his wife Ellen and Caroline as co-chairs of the Fisher Foundation NextGen committee for the last three years. He serves on the board of Yad Ezra . He was chosen by his cousins to join Caroline Cummings Rafferty as the first members of the NextGen to serve on the Foundation Board.

Jane F. Sherman Bio

Member of Executive Committee and Board Member of the Jewish Agency For Israel

Board Member of the Jewish Agency For North America

Board Member and Past Chair of the United Israel Appeal

Board Member of the Jewish Federations of North America

Board Member of the Birthright Israel Foundation

Officer and Board Member of the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit

Board Member of the Michigan Council of AIPAC

Board Member of the DSO

Board Member of the Aspen Music Festival

Member of the Executive Committee The Fisher Group

Vice-Chair of Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation

Amanda Fisher Bio

Amanda Fisher is an avid Detroit philanthropist and a residential real estate broker at KW Domain in Birmingham. Born and raised in the metro Detroit area, Amanda has an unwavering passion for helping families living in our Southeastern Michigan community. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a specialized degree in marketing and communications, Amanda founded the public relations and event production company, Amanda Fisher Productions (AFP). AFP’s mission was to assist for-impact organizations or companies with their philanthropic goals, such as the American Cancer Society, Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, Detroit Police Athletic League, and Gleaners Community Food Bank. Amanda’s numerous philanthropic passions include leadership roles for organizations such as Child Safe, Starfish Family Services, Jewish News Foundation, and Council of Michigan Foundations. Amanda is a Vice-Chair and trustee of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation where she also serves on committees for Impact Investing and Early Childhood Development. Most recently, Amanda became a board member of City Year Detroit, where she focuses on supporting students at Gompers Elementary in Brightmoor, as well as the entire Detroit Public School system. Amanda’s growing social justice interests, as well as her growing success professionally continue to be fueled by her mission of helping Detroit families succeed now and for many years to come.

Andrew C. Sherman Bio

Andrew C. Sherman is a Development Associate at The Platform. In September 2016, he graduated from Walsh College where he earned a Master of Science in Finance. Before enrolling at Walsh, Andrew was vice president of sales at Wave Digital Media, a Canadian company located in Toronto, Ontario specializing in programmatic online advertising. He was responsible for sales and business development throughout the United States.Prior to joining Wave in 2013, Andrew worked as an importing, sourcing and manufacturing specialist for 4Seasons Global, a seasonal merchandise manufacturer located in Chicago, Illinois. At 4Seasons, he managed overseas production and quality control while also supporting the sales and customer service teams. Before that, Sherman worked as an operations intern at HoMedics, a manufacturer of wellness products based in Commerce Township, Michigan.In 2008, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in Philadelphia. There, he majored in communication with a concentration in commerce. While attending UPenn, Andrew worked at the Hillel House soliciting donations from alumni and parents. He also co-hosted an annual charity event supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Andrew is an active supporter and member of the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit, ORT America, and Friends of Israel Defense Forces. He also serves as a leader of the next generation initiative for the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation.He is currently a resident of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where he lives with his wife, Alexandra, and son, Bo.

Julie Fisher Cummings Bio

Julie is a philanthropist leader who was born in Detroit and is dedicated to giving back to the communities where she has lived. Continued learning and service have been the hallmarks of her career. She recently returned to school and received a graduate degree in Social Policy from Columbia University in New York. Currently, she is teaching a graduate course on Child Policy at the University of Miami in Florida.She is dedicated to serving her community both local and national. Nationally, Julie is a Presidential appointee and board member of the Corporation for National and Community Service. She has served on numerous boards including Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, the United Way of Southeastern Michigan and most recently the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University As a native of Michigan, she assumed the mantel of leadership for a number of key organizations, among them: the Detroit Arts Commission; the Michigan Community Service Commission; and the Council of Michigan Foundations, a regional association of 400 grant making organizations, which Julie ultimately came to chair.Passionate about the advancing the field of philanthropy, she helped create programming and retreats for Family Philanthropy in her tenure on the board of the Council of Michigan Foundations. Most recently, she joined the board of the National Center for Family Philanthropy.For the last five years Julie has served as the managing trustee of her family’s foundation, whose other members include her mother and four siblings. The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation supports work that strengthens families and communities in need. In Detroit the Foundation concentrates its effort in the Jewish community and on early childhood development in the northwest Detroit neighborhood of Brightmoor. The Foundation is also committed to fostering AIDS awareness and to supporting the major cultural institutions on which the rebirth of this city depends.

Caroline Cummings Rafferty Bio

Caroline Cummings Rafferty is the co-founder of Carolina George, an interior design firm that has its own line of custom furniture and textiles. Mrs. Rafferty is a board member of the Fresh Air Fund of New York, Co-Chair of the NYU Institute of Fine Arts Alumni Organization, and President of the Board of Trustees of the Lovelight Foundation, a non-profit organization that she co-founded with her mother and sister in-law whose mission is to empower at risk women and youth in urban areas.Mrs. Rafferty is a former member of Operation Smile’s Capital Campaign Committee and a former board member of The Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club and The Charles Maddock Foundation. Mrs. Rafferty and her mother have spoken about generational philanthropy and legacy building for many organizations, including the Institute for Philanthropy, the UJA of Palm Beach, and the Women’s Fund of Central Texas. She holds a Masters in Fine Arts in Art History from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University and a bachelor degree from Trinity College, Hartford Connecticut.

Alissandra Aronow Bio

Alissandra Elizabeth Aronow is a former international ice dancer. After retiring from competitive skating, she went back to school and is receiving a bachelor’s degree in History of Art from the University of Michigan.Alissandra served as a NextGen Co-Chair of the Max. M and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation from 2015-2017, where she worked with her cousins to create more family service opportunities and NextGen engagement. Alissandra is currently on the Junior Board of the Endometriosis Foundation of America and serves as Vice President of the board of trustees for the Lovelight Foundation. She is a founding Co-Chair of Figure Skating in Detroit; a youth development program that includes figure skating, tutoring, the STEM program and leadership development. The program is the first expansion of the 20-year-old program in New York called Figure Skating in Harlem, which has proved to be a success. Alissandra has worked closely with a small team over the past year to launch the same after school program in Detroit.In addition, she is also working with the Executive Director of the Brightmoor Alliance to create a leadership development program for high school students in Brightmoor. The leadership development program is meant to create a sustainable program that will contribute to creating a succession plan of leadership within the Brightmoor community.

Staff

The staff of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation strives to provide an equitable, transparent and responsive grant partner experience. Inspired by Mr. and Mrs. Fisher’s legacy of compassion, we are deeply committed to the idea that life’s purpose is found in service to others.

“While the approaches may change as the generations change, the core of our work remains the same, strengthening families.”

— Marjorie S. Fisher

Douglas Bitonti Stewart Bio

For nearly 28 years Doug Bitonti Stewart has dedicated his career to philanthropy serving organizations such as Michigan State University, Michigan Nonprofit Management Institute, the Arthritis Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Michigan and as Director of Development for Children’s and Women’s Health at the University of Michigan Health System.

In early 2007, Doug became the first Executive Director of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. In his position Doug has the privilege of helping the Fisher family further their philanthropic legacy by working with partners making the most meaningful impact to strengthen and empower children and families in need.

Doug is a member of a number of volunteer boards including the Jewish Funders Network; Excellent Schools Detroit; immediate past chair of The League Michigan, an organization promoting youth service and leadership throughout Michigan; and the 2014 & 2015 American Express NGen Leadership Award Selection Committees.

Doug serves the philanthropic field and social impact sector as a Fellow at the National Center for Family Philanthropy and through his work on the Committee to Transform Michigan Philanthropy through Diversity and Inclusion of the Council of Michigan Foundations, the Development Summer Internship Advisory Board at the University of Michigan where he also served as a guest lecturer in the Org Studies program.

In 2014, twenty-two years after receiving his undergraduate degree in Finance from Michigan State University, Doug graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Business Administration from the Max M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Cynthia K. Rowell Bio

Prior to joining the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Cindy served as manager of donor stewardship with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan where she worked with executive and medical leadership teams at the hospital to ensure donor intent was honored and shared stories of philanthropic impact with contributors. Cindy invested 25 years of her career in Children’s Hospital holding a variety of positions in development, including major gifts officer where she worked with donors to identify the intersection between their interests and the hospital’s philanthropic opportunities. Cindy and a wonderful team of development colleagues worked together to raise millions of dollars to support a capital campaign, secure medical equipment, create endowments earmarked for pediatric medical research, enrich pediatric programs and establish endowed chairs in partnership with Wayne State University’s Medical School. Cindy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Michigan.

Meredith Freeman Bio

Meredith has extensive experience in the social impact sector and community development. She has worked with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Citibank Global Community Relations and mostly recently served as program director for the Fair Food Network. In this role, Meredith was also one of the chief architects of our recent program related investment in the Michigan Good Food Fund in collaboration with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. In 2014, Meredith was selected for the inaugural class of the Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network. Meredith received a B.A. from Michigan State University, and an M.S. in Management and Urban Policy from the New School University in New York. She has also served as adjunct faculty for graduate level courses in Nonprofit Management at Seton Hall University and the New School.

Jennifer Ludwig Bio

Jennifer Ludwig joins the Foundation staff team as Program Partner managing the Foundation’s Jewish grants portfolio. Jennifer’s background includes program management and fundraising with the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) based in Washington DC. Locally she has worked with the Michigan Israel Business Bridge and the American Jewish Committee.

Chelsea R. Landry Bio

Chelsea first worked with the Foundation as an intern in 2012, following her involvement with the University of Michigan’s Development Summer Internship Program (D-SIP). Since that time, Chelsea worked in fundraising at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Children’s Museum before joining the Foundation full time in September 2016. Chelsea has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Social Work in Management of Human Services from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.

Brianna J. Suarez Bio

Brianna comes to the foundation from the National Center for Family Philanthropy in Washington, DC and is a native Detroiter who recently moved back to southwest Detroit to be with family and to engage her talent and passion for social justice in her hometown. Brianna received her undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in New York in Government and Politics and her Masters in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University in Washington, DC.

Jennifer Riker Fahnestock Bio

Jenn’s time with the Foundation began only days after the Foundation hired Doug Stewart as the Executive Director. Jenn was brought on as the Foundation’s second employee in 2007. She has a rich history with the Fisher family: prior to working for the Foundation, Jenn served as an executive administrative assistant at Peter D. Cummings & Associates Inc. Jenn received her Bachelors of Arts in Communications from St. Mary’s College Orchard Lake. In her role as Grants & Operations Manager, Jenn processes grants and payments, manages the Foundation’s database, assists with IT work, coordinates communication efforts (including Foundation website content, newsletters and press releases) and oversees internal Foundation analytics. Aside from work, Jenn is an avid athlete, and was a member of the NSCAA All-American women’s soccer team in 2001.

Connor McLaughlin Bio

Connor McLaughlin is a Grants Assistant for The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. Prior to joining the Fisher Foundation, Connor served as Strategy Associate, Community and Partner Mobilization for Michigan College Access Network (MCAN). In that role he served as the organization’s initial contact for grant applicants, participated on review teams, and supported established grant partners. One of his biggest achievements at MCAN was the creation of a process to systematize the review and evaluation of grant reports in order to ensure that grant impact and lessons learned were captured and shared within the network. Before joining MCAN, Connor was the Kathy A. Agard Fellow in Community Philanthropy and Our State of Generosity Student Assistant for the Dorothy A. Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University where he received his degree in Political Science.

Margaret M. Shumaker Bio

Margaret Shumaker joined the Foundation in March 2016, and served the last few years as the Executive Assistant to the President and Operations Director of The New Common School Foundation in Detroit. Margaret is a Detroit resident and a graduate of Central Michigan University. Before joining the New Common School Foundation, Margaret served the Wayne-Metro Community Action Agency Head Start program at Poupard Elementary School in Grosse Pointe.

Financial Information

Accountability extends beyond the requirements of the law. We vow to uphold the code of transparency that our founders valued and to practice philanthropy in ways that reflect fundamental values, including honesty, integrity, fairness, and trust. The trustees and staff will be transparent to the communities we support, and all grant recipients. The Foundation and those who represent it will strive for the highest possible standards of ethical conduct and encourage the same standards from our grantees.

Taxes

Financial Information

Accountability extends beyond the requirements of the law. We vow to uphold the code of transparency that our founders valued and to practice philanthropy in ways that reflect fundamental values, including honesty, integrity, fairness, and trust. The trustees and staff will be transparent to the communities we support, and all grant recipients. The Foundation and those who represent it will strive for the highest possible standards of ethical conduct and encourage the same standards from our grantees.